Spectre x360 Audio Input

[ehagen08]

I recently purchased an HP Spectre x360.  I purchased the product for work purposes but I am also a musician and have a recording set up with very old equipment.  I was thinking about trying this computer to record with my mixer.  However, my mixer has standard outs like 1/4", XLR and 1/8".  I see that the Spectre has a headphone jack.  I know that sometimes this can be used as a line in as well.  Before I tried plugging in and seeing if worked, I wanted to check the forums to see if anyone has any knowledge of this.  You know, before I wreck my new machine!

So, question is... can the "headphone" jack be used as a line in as well?  Can a sound board be plugged in from the audio outs of the board to the line in on the Spectre?  Or, should I get an adapter that can take 1/8" jack into USB and plug in that way? 

Thanks for any help!

[MKazi]

@ehagen08

Thanks for reaching out to us on HP Support Forums. I came across your post and would like to help. 

I understand that you have an HP Spectre x360 series laptop and would like to know if the headphone jack could also be used as a  line in or not. 

What is the exact laptop model no? This link will help you to find the model no: http://hp.care/2bygf7l

Meanwhile, I did some research and found that if the headphone jack has the below described logo on it then it can be used as line in as well.

This is a headphone with a mic:

If it is simply the headset logo without the mic then it cannot be used as a line in.

Hope this answers your questions. Feel free to keep me posted for any further questions. Cheers! 🙂

[ehagen08]

I do have that icon on my laptop meaning it should be a line in as well.  However, I cannot get any line in to show up as an option when going to set recording options.  Line in Microphone or audio boards are not showing up.  My only option for microphone are the built in "array" mics.

[MKazi]

@ehagen08

Glad to have you back.

Here is an HP document which can help you solve all mic related issues. 

But in case you're using a third party software to record something then you may have to check with the vendor on how to configure their software for recording purposes. 

Hope this helps. Good luck! 🙂

[ehagen08]

That doesn't help. It works on my older PC and older laptop with the same software. When plugging my audio board from the audio out to line in on the PCS it shows up as an option to select recording device. On the Spectre it just doesn't show up anywhere. It doesn't show up as an option in the software nor does it show up as an option when going to the speaker icon and looking at recording and Playback devices. It says if it's not registering as line in. I have downloaded all current audio drivers. The only thing that works are the built-in microphones. I've tried to disable those hoping that the line in would work. It does not. Any other thoughts?

[Induna]

I just tested the audio jack on my Spectre x360 13t late 2017 with an old headset and it works perfectly. When I plug in the headset both the output and input change to the headset earpieces and mic. Perhaps your problem is just the type of jack your are using to connect to the notebook? These 2.5mm combo audio jacks have three different areas that connect left and right output and a mic. You may need an adapter like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010H0AGN8?tag=tomsguide_forum_vgl-20. For more info, look up combo audio jack.

[ehagen08]

That's a good idea. I will try that. Because it should be recognizing simething other than the built in mics. I'll have to check my 1/8in cable. Maybe it is 2 piece when it needs to be 3 etc.